MMSI NUMBER

H

hambone

New member
Two years ago I purchased SEA WOLF from a fellow C-Brat. It has a ICOM IC-M422 VHF radio. Looked good and worked fine. After getting it I added my new MMSI number to it (so I thought) and off I went. This last month why reading a how to article on a forum to check if your MMSI number was installed correctly I decided to check my radio to see that I had installed it correctly. NOPE, not even close.

Ok, now the bad news. :x Seems this radio will only program a MMSI number once when you first get it. After that the radio is stuck with that number only. The fix.. :roll: Call and see if I can change the MMSI number installed on the radio to my number. Called SEATOW and was told to log on and request the number be changed over. :roll: NOPE, darn thing says down for maintainance. OK, wait awhile and check again. NOPE :evil:

Does any of my C-BRAT brothers know of a fix for this? Kind of a pain as I see it. Why in heavens name are you only able to program ONE MMSI number on this radio? Hate to have to purchase another radio just because of that. Anyway here are a couple mad guys to make me feel better. :amgry :amgry
 
hambone,

I am no expert with mobile radios...
However, to the best of my knowledge, the radio can be programmed twice with a MMSI number. After that you will have to go to the dealer for a software rest.

ICOM IC-M422 VHF radio manual extract:
MMSI code programming
The 9-digit MMSI (Maritime Mobile Service Identity: DSC self
ID) code can be programmed at power ON.
This function is not available when the MMSI code has
been programmed by the dealer. This code programming
can be performed only twice.

Heinz
 
I think many VHF radios allow only one MMSI to be programmed. I had to send a Raymarine radio back to the manufacturer to have it changed :amgry $. Contact ICOM and see what they say.
 
I know on Standard Horizon, you have to take it to an authorized repair facility or send it back to change it. I am sending one back today as I moved it from one boat to another.

Tom
 
It is possible that the first MMSI number was set by a dealer, or that more than one MMSI number has already been programed in. In that case, I believe that Icom can reprogram if you send it back.

The idea behind this was to keep boats from putting in fake or other boats MMSI numbers--the number is supposed to stay with that boat/radio. But its not a perfect world!
 
thataway":1usj4t39 said:
It is possible that the first MMSI number was set by a dealer, or that more than one MMSI number has already been programed in. In that case, I believe that Icom can reprogram if you send it back.

The idea behind this was to keep boats from putting in fake or other boats MMSI numbers--the number is supposed to stay with that boat/radio. But its not a perfect world!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the quick response guys. Bob, as others you are dead right. Either the dealer or the original owner programed it more than once. She's a no go for now. I finally got through to ICOM and YES the radio must be programed by a dealer. Soooooooo, I contacted a dealer and spoke with him today and will mail the radio to him. I guess after Bob's explanation I see why it needs to be done. I still say BAH HUMBUG.. Thanks everyone...Hambone
 
If the radios are having to go back to the dealer for the MMSI # change, curious if they are charging for that. From Barry's response ( :amgry $) it looks like it.

So if you have had to send in your radio for the change, curious what they are charging? Sure hope it is less than buying a new radio.

Harvey
SleepyC:moon
 
Ummm, too bad this has not come to the attention of the pimple faced hacker crowd. If it had, there would be an app for your phone that would allow reprogramming your MMSi at will. :mrgreen:
 
hardee":vqxln2am said:
tpbrady":vqxln2am said:
Standard Horizon's charge is $35 plus shipping.
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Thanks Tom,

Way better than a new radio.

Harvey
SleepyC:moon
Click to expand...

I was told 20 to 40 bucks plus shipping from the dealer. :amgry

Gonna track me down one of them pimple faced hacker dudes..

Hambone
 
I'll pretty much guarantee all the factory does is push the soft buttons in the right sequence for 30 seconds and then charge you 35 bucks for the privilege. The ham radio and cell phone world almost never requires anything to be done from inside the equipment. It's all about soft buttons and sequences. But that said, if you don't know the soft button sequence, then off to the factory it goes.
 
hambone":2h6elulw said:
hardee":2h6elulw said:
tpbrady":2h6elulw said:
Standard Horizon's charge is $35 plus shipping.
Click to expand...

Thanks Tom,

Way better than a new radio.

Harvey
SleepyC:moon
Click to expand...

I was told 20 to 40 bucks plus shipping from the dealer. :amgry

Gonna track me down one of them pimple faced hacker dudes..

Hambone
Click to expand...
These days, those pimple faced hacker dudes are getting $50-$200/hr working for .com's. The dealer charge will likely be less than what it will cost you to get a pimple faced hacker dude to work on it (not to mention the signing bonus he'll expect). :wink:
 
One other point to make is that MMSIs can be transferred. When you buy a used boat, the previous owner can cancel / release the MMSI number and it can then be transferred to you. It's free and keeps the MMSI with the boat, which is the main purpose in the first place.

Unfortunately, this isn't always possible when the former owner enters the old MMSI number in to their new boat.
 
beermanPDX":qtwcl7rq said:
One other point to make is that MMSIs can be transferred. When you buy a used boat, the previous owner can cancel / release the MMSI number and it can then be transferred to you. It's free and keeps the MMSI with the boat, which is the main purpose in the first place.

Unfortunately, this isn't always possible when the former owner enters the old MMSI number in to their new boat.
Click to expand...

Your absolutely right Rob. I don't think the original owner of my boat new that. We talked about the radio and he reminded me to get my own MMSI number which I did. The information now is on the boat and If I ever sell Sea Wolf I will instruct them on the proper way to transfer the MMSI. After talking to BOATUS transferring the MMSI is really easy. Good to see this process has gone the right direction.

Hambone :lol:
 
It is very clear: " The MMSI number is assigned to the vessel, not the radio. All radios, whether fixed installations or handheld and no matter how many, permanently associated with the same vessel should all use the same MMSI number." But when the number is updated the new owner, the contacts, and EPRIP data etc needs to also be updated with FCC or Boat US.

Many folks don't do that--and it can lead to confusion or even could delay response.
 
I seem to remember paying a registration fee of some type when applying for my MMSI number through the FCC. It may have been for the station license, not the MMSI, but was required if filed with the FCC. I went the FCC route because their MMSI numbers are registered internationally, whereas, at the time at least, if the numbers were assigned via BoatUS, they were not traceable across the border into Canada. Not sure if that has changed in the last 2 years. Never did make sense that BoatUS could issue the number and it not be filed with the FCC.

Harvey
SleepyC:moon
 
I just went to the Boat US site and copied this and you are correct and I had forgotten that.


"DSC-equipped VHF radios must have an MMSI number to function. That number must be registered in a database that is relayed to the Coast Guard for use in Search and Rescue. BoatUS has been authorized by both the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the U.S. Coast Guard to assign MMSI numbers only to vessels that meet the following criteria:

Used for recreation only
Not required by law to carry a radio
Do not make international voyages or communications

If your vessel is required to carry a radio onboard (“Compulsory Equipped”), or if you plan to visit or communicate in a foreign port including Canada, Mexico, Bahamas, and the British Virgin Islands, DO NOT proceed with this application. You are legally required to obtain a Ship Station License from the FCC. They will issue an appropriate MMSI with the License. Additionally, when traveling to foreign ports, you are required to have a Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit holder aboard."


hardee":mf4oanrg said:
I seem to remember paying a registration fee of some type when applying for my MMSI number through the FCC. It may have been for the station license, not the MMSI, but was required if filed with the FCC. I went the FCC route because their MMSI numbers are registered internationally, whereas, at the time at least, if the numbers were assigned via BoatUS, they were not traceable across the border into Canada. Not sure if that has changed in the last 2 years. Never did make sense that BoatUS could issue the number and it not be filed with the FCC.

Harvey
SleepyC:moon
Click to expand...
 
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